Cowdray Estate Trail Run Series - Winter

We have a special night-time run, starting at the Cowdray Ruins and followed by warming drinks, soup, and delicious snacks at the Cowdray Heritage Visitor Centre. Both routes are through the park area and around the river. Head torches are mandatory. Runners will have the choice of taking on either a 10km, 5km or dog-friendly canicross course across the world famous polo lawns at night to the illuminated ruins, before returning to the Walled Garden and heritage site. The route is more or less flat apart from a couple of gradual climbs. The majority of the course is on bridleways & footpaths around the River Rother, but there are some sections on private tracks within the estate which are accessible only on race day. Footing for this run is good, depending on the weather, but YOU DO NEED a head torch to illuminate the trails and especially the river trail which can get quite high depending on weather conditions. Clear skies should offer runners a unique experience as the estate lies within the South Downs National Park which is an International Dark Sky Reserve. You should be able to see familiar and unfamiliar constellations, the moon and visible planets, satellites and shooting stars – but also make sure you pay attention to where you’re running ! The course will be marked/marshalled with reflective signs, glow sticks and the brilliant Sussex Search & Rescue Team who we use at all our events. There’s plenty of online advice on the best head torches to buy; entry level light head torches with 500 lumens cost around £30, but you’ll find plenty of uses for one during the winter!